North West-While the world celebrated Nelson Mandela’s Birth Day, Traffic officers in the North West had a different approach in celebrating the day. They changed their law enforcement approach by getting motorist to sign a pledge to commit that they will forever put on their safety belts when driving. 

“More than 380 motorists signed pledges during road blocks on the main road of the North West Province on Thursday” departmental spokesperson Simon Mmope said.

MEC Maloyi said the main aim of the gesture was to get the motorist to assist traffic authorities in saving lives and further prevent deaths on provincial roads. 

Motorists travelling between Lichtenburg and Koster were encouraged to give Mandela a birthday gift of a life-saving commitment by signing a pledge to put on their safety belts all the time, which most agreed and endorsed.

According to the Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison MEC Nono Maloyi, the department has realised that most motorists and passengers don’t put on their safety belts when traveling and that contributes to the high number of deaths on the road.

“Most of our beloved die as a result of not putting on their safety belts. Therefore we would like them to commit to save their lives and that of their family members” Maloyi said. 

MEC said this will be the greatest gift to the former president Nelson Mandela who valued life. 

“We appeal to our people to live with this commitment as it will definitely saves lives which Mandela fought for,” said Maloyi.

Meanwhile officials within Public Safety also spend their 67 minutes in honouring Mandela’s legacy by painting pedestrian crossings in some parts of Mahikeng and further spread the message of safe driving and comply with the law. 

“This is a lifetime legacy that will save the lives of our people in these roads. The humps will assist in getting motorists to reducing their speed in residential areas,” said departmental MEC Maloyi.

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